The Evolution of John Cusack's Career Leading up to The Raven

John Cusack’s career is the stuff Hollywood dreams are made of. With such iconic and diverse films as Say Anything, Being John Malkovich and High Fidelity to his credit, it’s no wonder he has become well respected by his peers and beloved by fans. Here, we will take a look at these films as well as other major highlights that have helped Cusack rise to a grand level of fame.

Baltimore, 1849. While investigating a horrific double murder, police detective Emmett Fields (Evans) makes a startling discovery: the killer's methods mirror the twisted writings of Edgar Allan Poe (Cusack). Suspecting Poe at first, Fields ultimately enlists his help to stop future attacks. But in this deadly game of cat and mouse, the stakes are raised with each gruesome slaying as the pair races to catch a madman before he brings every one of Poe's shocking stories to chilling life...and death.

Teenage Heartthrob

John Cusack started his career as a 1980s teenage heartthrob. His roles in the films Better Off Dead, The Sure Thing, One Crazy Summer, and Sixteen Candles are light-hearted and showcase his comedic acting abilities. Girls across the nation fell for Cusack’s characters that were often the quirky, nerdy boy in search of love.

Say Anything

One of Cusack’s most memorable teenage roles is in the 1989 film Say Anything… He plays Lloyd Dobler, an average student who pursues the overachiever valedictorian, Diane Court. Not only does his character win the girl, but critics also appreciate Cusack’s performance. The national publication Entertainment Weekly named the film “the greatest modern movie romance”, ranking it number 11 on its list of 50 best high-school movies.

Blockbuster Success

Cusack stars alongside Nicolas Cage and John Malkovich in Jerry Bruckheimer’s 1997 blockbuster Con Air. He plays US Marshal Vince Larkin who oversees the transfer of dangerous prisoners to a new Supermax prison. The prisoners hijack the aircraft they are on called the Jailbird, leaving US Marshal Larkin in a bind to convince them to land in Las Vegas where he can have them captured for good. The film went on to gross over $220 million making it Cusack’s first leading role in a box office hit.

Being John Malkovich 

The 1999 comedy-fantasy film Being John Malkovich is by far, one of Cusack’s most interesting projects. He plays an obsessive puppeteer named Craig who finds a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich. He shares this phenomenon with his co-worker with whom he is in love with, and the two decide to offer the experience to others for a set price. This role marked a monumental moment in Cusack’s career as being part of a critically acclaimed film since it received three nominations in the 72^nd Academy Awards.

High Fidelity

Cusack stars as Rob Gordon, a music aficionado who fails at relationships, in the 2000 comedy-drama High Fidelity. In addition to playing the lead role, Cusack contributed to the adaption of the screenplay from the original novel written by Nick Hornby. One of the major decisions that Cusack helped make along with the other writers was to change the location of the story from taking place in London to Chicago. Chicago magazine rated the movie #1 in its Top 40 list of films ever filmed in Chicago in its June 2010 issue, marking an important time in his career as a screenwriter.

The Raven

In one of his more recent roles, Cusack portrays a fictionalized version of the great American poet Edgar Allan Poe. His appearance closely resembles the mysterious literary figure as he investigates the disturbing trace of murders that are inspired by his works. To prepare for the role, Cusack said in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine that he read a lot of Poe’s works, including his diaries and letters. This role is very different from anything he has done in the past, thus proving how Cusack continues to challenge himself despite acting for 30 years.

In celebration of the The Raven on Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 9, which has been timed to commemorate Edgar Allan Poe's death, which was Oct. 7, 184, check out this new interactive map!

In The Raven, the city of Baltimore acts as an integral part of the plot as Poe races through the city to solve a crime. Hover your mouse over this map for the most chilling locations to be revealed. Click the icons and watch these suspenseful scenes unfold before your eyes!

Note the map contains mild spoilers and some graphic material keeping in nature with the film's tone

Photos courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment